Q&A Lesson: Left Hand Thumb Position for Classical Guitar

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Lesson of the Week from This is Classical Guitar.
Left hand thumb position for classical guitar.
This is a question from Paul who wanted to know about the left hand thumb position while playing scales. I've expanded on it to discuss the left thumb in general.
Here's the original question: "I would like to know how the left hand thumb performs on the back of the neck of the guitar while playing scales. Does it traverse across the neck while fingers maintain their same curvature or is it static while the fingers curl more tightly & the wrist drops more so as to remain straight? All lessons that I can find only show the fingers in action from a front perspective."
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[@dharmendrathacker165]

Ohhhhhh Voooooowww Sir..!!! This is what I have been needing and searching for a long time.! My left hand thumb just stucks while doing spider 🕷️ exercises and particularly while shifting from A to D Chord..!!! And I needed this guidance..!! Thank you soooooo much for the same. Lord Swaminarayan bless you and your family and your Team 🙏👍👌🎉

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dirkbertels3872]

Thanks for that very comprehensive explanation. Being 'self-taught' on guitar I learned that ignoring fundamentals like proper left hand thumb position comes back to bite you in the end. Like most bad habits, it is very hard to undo...

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

I recommend having a strict technique section to your practice at the beginning of the session and then not worrying too much. That strict session should bleed into the rest of your practice.

[@dirkbertels3872]

Thanks - I just wanted to add that the following link was very helpful in solving my problems with LH thumb fatigue - as most of the pressure should come from the fingers, not the thumb (I'm sure you cover that in your vids as well). douglasniedt.com/lefthandthumb.html

[@dharmendrathacker165]

You are absolutely right Gentleman. That's why I every time go forth and come back to the fundamentals to build a solid foundation.

[@i_am_chaplin]

This lesson was so helpful. Thumb and second finger alignment helped me so much where in past, my alignment was with first finger and thumb. Makes a huge difference. Thank you so much! 😊🎵

[@bobpeticolas121]

Thanks. You included a lot of great information. I would also add that it is important to keep that first joint of the thumb very relaxed. A tense first joint can create a lot of left hand problems. I think it helps to touch the neck with the thumb just BEHIND that first joint.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Yes, the thumb joint should be relaxed. However, the exact placement depends on many variables from the player, the guitar, the positions used, and what is happening in the left hand fingering. In general I would not say behind the joint specifically but more on it or in front for me.

[@adv.feroza.shaikh2316]

Thumb position video is best part of this video. Thanks for posting. Much appreciate and respect. Regards.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad you liked it!

[@UlyssesAlexandreAlves]

Your way of putting the left hand side on the back of the guitar neck makes the most sense, because it follows the natural sideway movement the thumb has to follow in order to touch the index finger when the hand is open. I have been playing by putting the "belly" (pad) of my left thumb on the back of the guitar neck, but this is just giving me pain! I like your way of doing it. I bet it will release a lot of tension of my hand after I've become used to it.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Hope it was helpful!

[@adv.feroza.shaikh2316]

Extremely insightful. I can now do better. Thanks. Regards.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Great to hear!

[@wilydingus]

Just what I needed thank you!

[@valeryrozental1555]

A follow up question... How about vibrato, should the thumb remain static, or should it slide on the neck? Thank you.

[@BHUPS00007]

Nice explanation, exactly what I wanted to know

[@chrisdavidson8525]

Ahhh this is so helpful, thanks!

[@md.shakibkhan5183]

I am double jointed and my thumb bends 90 degree backwards. It makes super hard sliding along the fretboard and playing spider on higher strings

[@mMohsin3d]

Thank you for your tips! is there an explanation of why the thumb has to go behind the 2nd finger (middle)? Is this something specific for guitar? Because my teacher who is a violinist and guitar playing told me to put the thumb on front of the 1st finger (index). I will be glad to hear your opinion, Thanks again 🌹

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Everyone is a bit different but the 2nd finger is a good reference point. Between the 1st and 2nd finger is fine, if you make a fist see where your thumb naturally ends up.

[@mMohsin3d]

​@@Thisisclassicalguitar I see your point! I tried your way and I found that my left hand is more balanced. The 4th finger became stronger and lay on the string with a better angle... Thanks for your reply 🌹

[@jasontobola6272]

✌️

[@i_am_chaplin]

Do you have a video for proper finger technique playing free on 2 string chords? Struggling with Ghiribizzo by N. Paganini, Suzuki book 3.

[@bigadventure101]

Thanks for this. I just noticed my thumb isn't always behind my m finger. I notice it's behind my i finger. Could this cause thumb pain?

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Most of the time students are applying too much pressure. You need almost no pressure from the thumb most of the time. The curvature of the fingers and the weight of gravity from the arm is plenty to press the string down without a vice-grip between fingers and thumb. Everyone is a bit different to where the thumb is located, somewhere between the 2nd and 1st finger is the norm.

[@kvnboudreaux]

How much pressure are you using with your thumb

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Almost none! Try playing without the thumb touching (just as an experiment) if your fingers are curved you barely need to vice grip at all.,

[@kvnboudreaux]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar well, this challenges my entire left hand approach, some, sigh, back to the drawing board, thanks for the tips man

[@gwosterman]

Is your guitar neck 1 inch thick the whole way between frets one and twelve (or the same thickness if not 1")? Reasons?

[@jasperwilliams4651]

The action on your guitar looks high

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Lots of professional level instrument have high action because playing in a large hall requires us to dig in pretty hard for volume. Therefore, the higher action is needed to avoid buzzing.

[@samiralabed9232]

do you have a suggestion about nails shapes plz?

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

I have a post here: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/fingernails-on-classical-guitar/

[@shahitto05]

Do you have any suggestion on placement of thumb that bends backward almost 90 degree? aka Hitchhiker's thumb. Should I let it do that or should I try to keep it straight? I'm playing for 1 year.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

As long as it is relaxed and generally the same it should be fine. Just make sure the fingers are curved enough and that your overall position is good. If you are using too much pressure and the tension is causing the thumb to bend then that might be a problem. You might want to try this muting exercise for relaxation: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/lesson-left-hand-tension-relaxation-exercises-guitar/